If your water heater suddenly seems to supply less hot water and it isn’t leaking, flush the water heater tank to be sure mineral deposits are not reducing the heater’s efficiency.
1) Turn off the hot water heater’s gas valve or electricity. 2) With the tank turned off, let the water cool.
3) Turn off the water inlet valve and attach a hose to the drain valve to run the water into a large bucket or to a drain or the outdoors.
4) Open the drain valve at the base of the tank, and open one hot water faucet somewhere in the house to let in air. When all water has drained from the water heater, turn the cold water valve on and off until the water from the drain runs clear.
5) Close the drain valve, turn the water back on to fill the tank, and turn the gas valve or electricity back on (relight the pilot if applicable).
This is also a good time to test the temperature-pressure relief valve, which keeps pressure from building up too much in the boiler. Lift or lower its handle. Water should drain from the overflow pipe.
If these measures don’t do the job, the dip tube that supplies cold water to the tank may be broken or cracked. This plastic tube is supposed to direct cold water to the bottom of the water heater tank, but if it breaks or splits, cold water pours in at the top of the tank and mixes with the hot water that is on its way to the hot water pipes.
Either have the dip tube replaced, or, if the water heater is out of warranty and showing other signs of age, consider replacing it.
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